An experimental asphalt surface will be applied on the highway near Domagnano, thanks to a collaboration between the University of the Republic of San Marino and the Autonomous State Company for Public Works. This project, funded by the Conference of European Directors of Roads, promotes excellence in road network management by involving several national administrations across the continent.
The affected areas, totaling 800 square meters, will be located on Via 25 Marzo, on the uphill lane in front of the former La Serenella restaurant. Work will begin tomorrow, July 6th, using environmentally friendly technologies: "We will create a base layer of cement-reinforced concrete with 100% recycled demolition material and a cold-bonding layer with 88% recycled bituminous concrete," explains professor and researcher Andrea Grilli of the Civil Engineering degree program at the University of San Marino. "In quantitative terms," the academic continues, "approximately 130 tons of demolition material will be recycled for the first layer and approximately 150 tons of recovered asphalt mix for the second layer. This second layer offers a further advantage in terms of cold production and construction, which, unlike the traditional hot-mix technique, does not require heating the asphalt and eliminates atmospheric emissions, as well as significantly reducing energy consumption."
Once the experimental section is completed, the University and AASLP will continue their work with continuous monitoring of the new asphalt. This will be enabled by a series of probes inserted into the pavement and provided by the Conference of European Directors of Roads, which will support all the activities involved with an international research group. Specifically, the initiative is part of a project called Cold Recycled Asphalt Base of Optimized Energy & Resource Efficient Pavements.
"This result," stated the Rector of the University of San Marino, Corrado Petrocelli, "confirms that the synergies established with organizations, activities, and institutions like the AASLP are real and productive. It is proof that our University, with its faculty, research, and teamwork, makes an important contribution to the region."
These words were echoed by the Secretary of State for Education and Culture, Andrea Belluzzi: "This collaboration," he commented, "is invaluable because it demonstrates that linking our University with public and private companies yields significantly innovative results. The path chosen by our University, that of seeking collaborations and interactions with companies and institutions abroad, is not only valid but must be pursued even more tenaciously. I am convinced," Belluzzi concluded, "that we can achieve significant results that will benefit the San Marino system."
The collaboration between the University and AASLP on road maintenance began in 2016 and sees the two organizations engaged, among other things, in a working group at the Higher Council of Public Works (Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Rome) to draft new performance guidelines for road construction and maintenance. These efforts are primarily overseen by Grilli and AASLP Director Matteo Casali.
